Director of Programs

School of Government Services•Chapel Hill, NC

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

School of Government Services (SOG Services), an associated entity of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the School's mission of improving the lives of North Carolinians through practical scholarship that helps public officials and citizens understand and improve state and local government. The Programs Division within SOG Services is responsible for coordinating and managing continuing education programs for state and local government officials. This involves close collaboration with faculty to plan programs and manage all logistical aspects, including budgeting, contracts, websites, materials, catering, venue arrangements, audio/visual needs, and on-site support. The division also handles registration, hospitality, and the allocation of space and resources within the School of Government's facilities. This Director of Programs position reports to the Assistant Dean for Programs and will lead teams supporting over 300 courses, programs, and events annually, serving more than 14,000 local government officials. The role involves overseeing operational teams in specific areas (Courts, Public Leadership, Local and State Government Law and Finance), managing strategic collaborations across School Divisions, and demonstrating expertise in project management, personnel management, and operational issues. Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining the program calendar planning process, managing fiscal year-ahead planning, and supporting the Assistant Dean in strategic projects for operational efficiency and organizational structure decisions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and two years of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of related experience (6+ years of relevant experience in substitution).
Five years of increasingly responsible experience in event, program, project or operations management, or a related function.
Demonstrated experience in a management or people-leadership role.
Experience leading programs and/or projects in a customer- or service-centered environment, with demonstrated ability to lead teams and achieve results through others.
Experience with contract administration, vendor management, and negotiation.
Strong writing, presentation, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, prioritize competing demands, and meet deadlines.
Valid NC driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

1-3 years of experience managing a team or related supervision.
Knowledge or experience related to hiring, training and onboarding employees.
1-3 years of experience related to strategic planning and/or change management.

Responsibilities

Supervise a team of program managers and program associates, assigning programs annually and directing them to develop and maintain processes, efficiencies, and a customer focus.
Oversee and enhance the program system, including databases, marketing tools, communication networks, business office functions, and division and vendor relationships.
Establish and maintain relationships with faculty partners, clients, sponsors, and division directors.
Contribute to establishing internal operational procedures through collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Provide program-level budget oversight for the division's $2.3 million operating budget, including developing and managing the annual programs budget, reviewing budget performance, monitoring revenue and expenses, forecasting, and assessing the feasibility of new initiatives.
Contribute to annual program calendar planning in collaboration with faculty and as a member of the Program Management Leadership Team.
Manage and oversee the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of continuing education programs, courses, and conferences.
Partner with faculty to shape program strategy and course design, clarifying program objectives, scope, and support levels.
Lead post-program reviews with faculty and program teams to capture lessons learned, evaluate outcomes, and incorporate improvements.
Advise faculty on delivery models that balance quality, efficiency, and innovation through appropriate instructional technology resources, learning environments, marketing approaches, and target audiences.
Manage projects related to annual course calendar planning and the implementation of operational tools.
Collaborate with faculty to match content delivery options with their respective client groups, suggesting different technologies, spaces, marketing, and target audiences.
Maintain open communication with faculty and operational divisions on measures of program success, providing regular feedback and solutions.
Approve all program budgets, monitor program revenue and expenses, and maintain the School’s strategic priorities in terms of registration fees, funding, and sponsorship support.
Manage team budgets for professional development, team building activities, and hiring and salary increases for the division.